the poor image is definately due to camera shake as u can see the lines on the road are blur. nothing to do with film. u shld either set a higher shutter speed (1/400s is the slowest u can go if using ISO400 unless u got steady hands) or make use of a tripod.

for such event held at nite and only lit by streetlamps, i guess Fuji Press 800 wld be more suitable.

Sports mode has a higher shutter speed so tat it can freeze the pic. alternatively, u can also set the shutter speed in the Shutter Priority.

The above photo 'blurness' is due to handshake caused by low shutter speed. You're right, it is due to shutter speed.

However, ISO & shutter speed have no correlation.

Shutter speed is how long the camera shutter opens to let in light to fall on the film.

ISO is a measure of how sensitive the film is to light. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is. Hence, for the same brightness in a particular scene, for eg, if a ISO 100 film needs 1/125sec shutter speed to properly form the image, a ISO 400 film will only need 1/500sec shutter speed to properly form the same image.

What is handshake?
Its when the shutter speed falls below 1/focal length of your lens. For eg, if you're using 50mm. Once the shutter speed is slower than 1/50, it is more likely to see handshake in the end photo. For practical reason, just try to keep shutter speed at 1/60 and above for most of your shots. If you're using long teles like 200mm and above, then use the 1/focal length rule.

New Member

The above photo 'blurness' is due to handshake caused by low shutter speed. You're right, it is due to shutter speed.

However, ISO & shutter speed have no correlation.

Shutter speed is how long the camera shutter opens to let in light to fall on the film.

ISO is a measure of how sensitive the film is to light. The higher the number, the more sensitive it is. Hence, for the same brightness in a particular scene, for eg, if a ISO 100 film needs 1/125sec shutter speed to properly form the image, a ISO 400 film will only need 1/500sec shutter speed to properly form the same image.

What is handshake?
Its when the shutter speed falls below 1/focal length of your lens. For eg, if you're using 50mm. Once the shutter speed is slower than 1/50, it is more likely to see handshake in the end photo. For practical reason, just try to keep shutter speed at 1/60 and above for most of your shots. If you're using long teles like 200mm and above, then use the 1/focal length rule.

New Member

the poor image is definately due to camera shake as u can see the lines on the road are blur. nothing to do with film. u shld either set a higher shutter speed (1/400s is the slowest u can go if using ISO400 unless u got steady hands) or make use of a tripod.

for such event held at nite and only lit by streetlamps, i guess Fuji Press 800 wld be more suitable.

Sports mode has a higher shutter speed so tat it can freeze the pic. alternatively, u can also set the shutter speed in the Shutter Priority.

New Member

the poor image is definately due to camera shake as u can see the lines on the road are blur. nothing to do with film. u shld either set a higher shutter speed (1/400s is the slowest u can go if using ISO400 unless u got steady hands) or make use of a tripod.

You're right on to say its due to camera shake.
However, again, ISO and shutter speed have no correlation. It is not correct to say that 1/400 is the slowest u can go using ISO 400. (unless you hv a very special camera which forced this restriction). Film & shutter speed have no enforced relationship. I've used ISO 400 film exposed for 1minute before.

Also, choice of film shouldn't be restricted by time of day. Most people avocate high ISO film like ISO 400 or ISO 800 for night shooting. This isn't true.

makan -> can share more about your camera. And how u took this shot. I'll explain more later in this reply.

Senior Member

the poor image is definately due to camera shake as u can see the lines on the road are blur. nothing to do with film. u shld either set a higher shutter speed (1/400s is the slowest u can go if using ISO400 unless u got steady hands) or make use of a tripod.

for such event held at nite and only lit by streetlamps, i guess Fuji Press 800 wld be more suitable.

Sports mode has a higher shutter speed so tat it can freeze the pic. alternatively, u can also set the shutter speed in the Shutter Priority.

Huh? 1/400s is definitely NOT the slowest you can go on ISO 400. It's the slowest you can go on 400mm lens. The lowest hand holdable shutter speed does not have anything to do with the ISO rating of the film.

In such low light situations, the best bet is to use a high speed film like the Press 800 you mentioned and fast lenses (e.g. f/2.8 and faster).

New Member

Originally posted by makan007
Using Canon EOS 500N. I select night scene mode w/built-in flash.
I rather not hav this special effect. Any recommendation on any suitable films to use for nite parade with bright light surrounding?

Senior Member

Originally posted by makan007
Using Canon EOS 500N. I select night scene mode w/built-in flash.
I rather not hav this special effect. Any recommendation on any suitable films to use for nite parade with bright light surrounding?

Get rid of the Max 400. No, your problem is not caused by the film. Your problem, like others have mentioned, is due to camera shake due to a slow shutter speed. What lens are you using? I'd assume it's a slow zoom with aperture of f/3.5-5.6 or something like that. Under such lighting conditions, if you are not using flash, you ideally need something faster, like f/2.8. The cheap way to get a fast lens is to buy a 50mm f/1.8 for like $100 odd. That will give you a higher shutter speed. Ideally, you should also use a faster film, like ISO 800 (e.g. Fujifilm Press 800).

If you are using flash, don't use the night scene mode. The night scene mode of any camera usually sets a slow shutter speed, so don't use that. Set the shutter yourself to the flash synch speed (typically 1/60 and above, check your camera manual).

Hope that helps.

Back to the film. Kodak Max 400 have horrible grain, even when very slightly underexposed. For ISO 400 films, try Fujifilm Superia XTRA 400. For ISO 800, my recommendation goes to Press 800.

Agree.
However, using a tripod will solve part of his problem here. As he's taking action photography. Hence, using a tripod will get him sharp static objects. But for those moving ones, it'll still be blurified